"So it is, my dear," thought I, "if I can only remember it. So it's
Captain Fitzroy Pilkington I am--and from Bath. Decidedly I should
have taken some time in guessing it."

"I suppose, sir, I may take it for granted you have not brought your
credentials here to-night?" said the old boy, with a grim smile.

It was lucky he had not thought of searching my pockets for them.

"Scarcely, sir," I answered, smiling too and catching his mood; and
then thought I would play a bold card for freedom. "Come, come,
sir," I said; "I have tried to deceive you, and you have enjoyed a
very adequate revenge. Do not prolong this interview to the point of
inflicting torture on two hearts whose only crime is that of loving
too ardently. You have your daughter. Suffer me to return to the
inn in the village, and in the morning I will call on you with my
credentials and humbly ask for her hand. If, on due examination of
my history and circumstances, you see fit to refuse me--why then you
make two lovers miserable: but I give you my word--the word of a
Fitzroy Pilkington--that I will respect that decision. 'Parcius
junctas quatiam fenestras': or, rather, I will discontinue the
practice altogether."

"William," said Sir Harry, shortly, to the footman, "show Mr.
Pilkington to the door. Will you take your ladder away with you,
sir, or will you call for it to-morrow?"

"To-morrow will do," I said, airily, and stepping across to Mistress
Kate I took her hand and raised it as if for a kiss. Her fingers
gave mine an appreciative squeeze.